…former president expected to be buried on Wednesday in SA
Lusaka Archbishop Dr Alick Banda, who is expected to conduct the funeral service for the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, arrived in South Africa and visited the funeral house this morning.
The former First Lady, Esther Lungu, Chawama MP, Tasila Lungu Mwansa, who is Late president’s daughter and other family members could not hold back tears upon seeing the Bishop enter the funeral house. After a few minutes of Dr Banda comforting the family members, he then sat to write in the book condolences.
The bishop’s appearance in South Africa signals the family’s resolve to bury the former president in that country.
This follows disagreement with government on the handling of the funeral arrangements. For instance the family was aggrieved that government had prepared a funeral program which included a private church service within the airport as well as restriction on who could be at the airport to receive the mortal remains of the former president.
Meanwhile, sources close to the family confirm he will be laid to rest this Wednesday in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Legal and administrative processes have been finalized, following the Lungu family’s firm decision to conduct a private funeral in South Africa.
However, deep divisions have emerged within Cabinet over whether President Hakainde Hichilema should attend the funeral. Sources reveal that President Lungu had explicitly wished that his successor not be present at his funeral — a position the family has insisted on as a precondition to repatriate his remains.
Despite President Hichilema expressing his desire to have the late President buried in Zambia, the South African government has granted the family permission to proceed with the burial abroad. State Counsel John Sangwa clarified that there is no law compelling a sitting president to attend a former leader’s funeral, noting such ceremonies are privileges, not legal obligations.
Insiders say some Cabinet ministers are urging President Hichilema to reconsider attending, warning it would be inappropriate to defy the family’s wishes. One minister reportedly contacted the family to express the government’s embarrassment over the situation and inquired whether they would consider repatriating the body if the President agreed to stay away. Credit: Daily Nation
